BIG WEST CONFERENCE MANUAL SECTION 4 ADMINISTRATIVE REGULATIONS August 2018

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1 BIG WEST CONFERENCE MANUAL SECTION 4 ADMINISTRATIVE REGULATIONS August 2018 TABLE OF CONTENTS Recognized Sports Commissioner's Cup Master Schedules Contest Postponements Championship Meets or Tournaments Financial Arrangements for Conference Championship Events Coaches Meetings Conference Television, Marketing, and Licensing Ownership of Events Media Timeouts Local Non-Network Television Rights Fees Big West Properties Digital Video Distribution Video Board Replays Officiating Code of Ethics Importance of Officials Officials Associations Treatment of Officials Postgame Comments Use of Video in Checking Officials' Decisions Video Board Replay of Officials' Decisions Sports Information Directors Regulations Health and Safety Regulations Academic/Sportsmanship Awards Scholar-Athlete Awards Academic All-Conference Teams All-Conference Awards Athletes of the Week/Month Service and Leadership Award APPENDICES 1-Air Quality Protocol Procedures for Postponement for Force Majeure Situations Section 4-1 Administrative Regulations

2 4.1 Recognized Sports Recognized men s intercollegiate sports of this Conference are as follows: baseball, basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, tennis, track and field, and volleyball (Conference competition begins in ). Recognized women's intercollegiate sports of this Conference shall be as follows: basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, softball, tennis, track and field, beach volleyball, volleyball, and water polo. (Revised 5/23/83, 5/29/87, 5/18/90, 5/15/92, 5/16/95, 7/17/00, 7/14/08, 7/1/10, 5/14/15, 5/13/16.) For a championship to be conducted a minimum of six institutions must sponsor the sport at the intercollegiate level on July 1 of any given year. At a minimum, one more than half of the participating teams in the championship must be Conference members as defined in Constitution (Revised 5/14/15.) Any sport championship conducted prior to July 1, 2000 with at least five teams shall be maintained, with the July 1 declaration date in effect for such sports each year. If such a sport witnesses a drop in teams below the number five, that championship shall no longer be sponsored by the Conference. (Adopted 8/1/85, 5/29/87, 7/17/00, 5/11/10.) All contests hosted by Conference member institutions shall be administered according to guidelines established in the Big West Conference Regulations for each sport (Sections 5 through 24) All member institutions sponsoring a recognized sport shall participate in Conference championship competition if a Conference championship is conducted in that sport. (Revised 5/9/96.) If any Conference member's team is ineligible to participate in an NCAA championship event or is ineligible to receive the Conference's automatic qualification berth, the member may not participate in a Conference championship event in that sport for that season. In addition, any member that is not eligible to participate in a Conference championship event shall not share in or receive any revenues related to the Conference championship event, including but not limited to television, gate receipts, concessions, and/or parking generated by the Conference championship event. Members not eligible to participate shall forfeit all of its NCAA Revenue Shares in the year in which it is ineligible, except for its revenue share earned from its own NCAA Tournament win other than in a Seed 16 vs. Seed 16 game. (Adopted 5/17/91, Revised 5/15/92, 5/14/12, 12/3/15.) If any individual member of a Conference member's team is ineligible to participate in an NCAA championship event, the individual may not participate in a Conference championship event. (Adopted 5/15/92.) If any Conference member's team elects not to participate in a Conference championship event, that sport will not count towards the institution's Conference membership requirements of Constitution or for that academic year and the following additional sanctions will occur: The institution will be assessed a financial penalty that would be no less than what it would have cost to send a minimum squad size team to that sport's 4-2 Administrative Regulations

3 Conference championship event. Furthermore, if the institution falls below the minimum membership requirements of and , it will forfeit one-sixth of its share of the Conference's NCAA basketball championship revenue for that year per The institution will be placed in a one-year membership probationary status and a letter of reprimand/ warning will be sent to that institution's chief executive officer. Following the one-year probation, the institution is subject to suspension or expulsion from the Conference per Constitution if the requirements of and or are not fulfilled. (Adopted 5/9/96.) Any sport sponsored by a member institution's athletic department and conducted on an intercollegiate basis shall be subject to all Conference rules and regulations, including the applicable game administration guidelines for that sport. (Revised 5/9/96.) Failure to comply with the applicable game administration guidelines in a sport will result in an institutional reprimand and one-year probation for the first offense. Subsequent offenses in the same sport will result in requiring the institution to appear before the Compliance Committee in a "show cause" hearing. (Adopted 5/9/96.) NCAA rules and regulations shall govern all Big West Bylaws. 4.2 Commissioner's Cup The Commissioner s Cup shall be awarded annually to the Conference member that has the highest degree of success in all men s and women s Conference sports during the academic year. (Adopted 6/8/99.) Points for the Commissioner s Cup shall be awarded in the 16 Conference sports based on the number of teams competing for each championship. For each institution, total points are added and divided by the number of Conference sports the institution sponsors. The Commissioner s Cup is then awarded to the school with the highest average The first-place team in each sport receives 20 points multiplied by the number of teams competing for the championship, plus a 20-point bonus for winning the championship. The second-place team receives 40 points less than the first-place team. The third-place team receives 20 points less than the second-place team, the fourth-place team receives 20 points less than the third-place team, and so on down the standings. (Revised 7/17/00, 7/15/02.) In the case of ties in all sports, points shall be awarded by combining points and dividing them equally among the tied teams. (Adopted 6/8/99, 7/10/06.) In the sports of baseball, men s and women s basketball, men s and women s soccer, softball, women s tennis, men s volleyball, and women s indoor volleyball, points shall be awarded on the basis of the final regular-season standings. (Adopted 6/8/99, Revised 7/17/00, 7/9/01, 7/13/05.) 4-3 Administrative Regulations

4 4.2.4 In the sports of beach volleyball, men s and women s cross country, men s and women s golf, men s tennis, men s and women s track and field, and women's water polo, points shall be awarded on the basis of the team s finish in the conference championship tournament/meet. (Adopted 6/8/99, Revised 7/9/01, 7/13/05.) The standings for the Commissioner's Cup shall be released quarterly to the media and the public, with a posting on the Conference web site. (Adopted 7/9/01.) 4.3 Master Schedules Conference master schedules in men's baseball, basketball, soccer and volleyball and women's basketball, soccer, softball, volleyball and water polo shall be subject to final approval of the Council. Competition shall be conducted in a single round-robin format for the sports of baseball, men s soccer, women's soccer, softball, men's and and women's tennis, and women's water polo, and in a double roundrobin format for the sports of men s and women's basketball, and men s and women's volleyball. Schedules shall be approved by Council at least two years prior to the season. (Revised 5/23/83, 12/16/83, 5/17/84, 5/16/85, 12/12/85, 5/9/96, 6/9/98, 7/17/00, 7/1/01, 7/14/08, 5/14/12, 5/13/16, 5/17/18.) Failure to honor a Conference master schedule shall result in the following sanctions: 1. Any scheduled event not honored by a member institution's sports team shall be forfeited to its opponent. 2. The institution's sports team shall be rendered ineligible for the Conference's championship in the year the Conference's master schedule is not honored and for the following academic year. 3. The institution will be assessed a financial penalty that would be no less than what it would have cost to send a minimum squad size team to the event that was not honored on the master schedule. 4. The team that elects not to participate in a Conference master schedule event will not count towards its institution's Conference membership requirements of Constitution or for that academic year. 5. The institution will be placed in a one-year membership probationary status and a letter of reprimand/ warning will be sent to that institution's chief executive officer. Following the one-year probation, the institution is subject to suspension or expulsion from the Conference per Constitution if the requirements of and or are not fulfilled. (Adopted 5/9/96.) Contests in other sports may be scheduled at the discretion of the respective institutions. Council approval is not required for such scheduling Contest Postponements See Appendix Championship Meets and Tournaments An annual championship meet or tournament shall be held in the following sports: basketball, cross country, golf, beach volleyball, soccer, tennis, track and field, men s volleyball, and women's water 4-4 Administrative Regulations

5 polo. (Revised 5/23/83, 12/16/83, 5/17/84, 5/16/85, 5/18/90, 5/19/94, 5/9/96, 6/9/98, 6/8/99, 7/1/01, 7/14/08, 7/1/10, 5/14/15, 5/13/16.) Sites of Conference championship meets or tournaments shall be determined by the Council. Institutions with inadequate facilities to properly conduct a championship meet may pass their regular turn in the rotation. (Revised 6/9/98, 6/8/99, 7/17/00, 7/9/01.) A member institution considering a private club as a site for a championship event must forward to the Conference Office that club's membership policy. No private club that discriminates on ethnic race, gender, or religious grounds shall be approved as a championship site. (Adopted 5/17/91.) Financial Arrangements for Conference Championship Events 1. Admission shall be charged at the men s and women s soccer championships, the men s and women s basketball championships, the track and field championship (excluding multi-day events), and the water polo championship. Admission for all other championships will be determined by the host in consultation with the Conference Office. Admission prices and/or entry fees, if any, for Conference championship events shall be set by the Conference Office in consultation with the host institution. Admission for students in sports other than men s and women s basketball shall be at the discretion of the host instition in consultation with the Conference Office. (Revised 5/13/16) 2. Entry fees may be imposed. The amounts by sport are to be approved by the commissioner. 3. A Conference championship event Financial Report form shall be filed with the Conference Office within 15 days following each championship event. The net receipts shall be deposited in the Conference Contingency Fund. (Revised 5/29/87.) 4. Alcohol may be sold and served at Big West Championship venues if the venue, as part of normal event operation, sells/serves alcohol at regular season events. The expenses associated with the sale of alcohol (i.e. ID check, security) shall be exclusive to the venue and not the Championship. (Adopted 11/29/17.) 4.5 Coaches' Meetings The head coaching group from each Conference Championship sport shall meet if issues warrant. Each sport's Council liaison, in consultation with the Commissioner, shall determine if a meeting is to be scheduled. For more information on coaches' meetings, see the individual sport bylaws. (Adopted 5/9/11.) 4.6 Conference Television, Marketing and Licensing Ownership of Events, Revenue Sharing, and Regulation of Telecasts The Conference shall have full ownership of all television rights for all athletic events involving Conference members played at home sites. All television rights to events shall be retained by the Conference, unless released as specified in these Bylaws. The Conference shall have full and complete ownership of the Conference name and logo and of all Conference championship events. The Conference shall have the right to 4-5 Administrative Regulations

6 use each member institution's name and logo in conjunction with all Conference championship events. The Conference shall have the exclusive right to market the Conference name, logo and championship events, and to license products using such name, logo and events. These rights shall be administered by the Conference Office. (Revised 5/15/92, 5/18/95.) All event or game contracts for any event in which a Conference member participates shall refer to the ownership of television rights for all home events by the Conference. (Revised 5/23/83, 5/15/92.) All negotiations regarding the televising of events in which Conference members participate, except events released as hereinafter specified, shall be conducted by the Conference Office or its designated representative, including but not limited to negotiations with national networks, regional telecasters, and/or syndicators (including but not limited to ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, ESPN, USA and TNT). If a Conference member is contacted by any party involving the televising of any event (except regarding local over-the-air telecasts of released events), the contact shall be referred to the Conference Office. (Revised 5/15/92.) All references in these Bylaws to the division of revenue among Conference members refer to the net revenue payable to the Conference pursuant to any contract with an entity representing the Conference in television, marketing, or licensing. (Adopted 5/15/92.) The Conference Television Package is defined as the international, national, or regional telecast of any event in which one or more Conference members compete, including but not limited to ABC, CBS, NBC, ESPN, Fox, TNT and USA Events to be televised as part of the Conference Television Package are to be selected by the following dates each year: Fall sports May 15 Winter sports October 1 Spring sports January 1 A selection date may be extended by approval of the Conference member(s) participating in the event. After a deadline date, or an extended deadline (if applicable), has passed, all events not selected for the Conference Television Package revert to the Conference members, and such events may be televised only in the Conference members' local designated market areas (DMA) in accordance with Conference media agreements. No international, national or regional telecast, nor any telecast (in any manner) not limited to the Conference member's DMA, shall be made outside the Conference Television Package, unless consented to in writing as previously specified. (Revised 7/12/04.) The following identification of local DMA shall apply: 4-6 Administrative Regulations

7 Cal Poly - Santa Barbara/Santa Maria/ San Luis Obispo Cal State Fullerton - Los Angeles Cal State Northridge - Los Angeles Long Beach State - Los Angeles UC Davis - Sacramento/Stockton/Modesto UC Irvine - Los Angeles UC Riverside - Los Angeles UC Santa Barbara - Santa Barbara/Santa Maria/ San Luis Obispo Hawaii Honolulu If any members are added to the Conference, the DMA as defined by Nielsen Media Research shall apply to that institution. (Revised 5/13/93, 7/1/96, 7/17/00, 7/9/01, 7/13/05, 7/1/07.) If an opportunity for an event to be televised internationally, nationally, regionally or in the Conference Television Package becomes available after a deadline has passed, the Conference member has the choice to participate or not Media Timeouts Media timeouts in all sports shall be conducted according to NCAA regulations. (Revised 5/23/83, 6/3/88, 7/31/91, 11/9/93, 4/23/96, 7/17/00.) Big West Properties Big West Properties shall serve as a subsidiary of the Conference for the purpose of integrating Conference marketing assets (i.e., championship events, merchandise and television) with member institutional assets (i.e., print and broadcast advertising, venue exposure and merchandise). (Adopted 5/8/96.) The Commissioner or his/her designee shall serve as the Executive Director of Big West Properties. (Adopted 5/8/96.) Live Event Digital Video Distribution The Conference shall have full ownership of all digital video distribution on all platforms of all athletic events involving Conference members played at home sites and all Conference championship events. Digital video distribution of events on shall include audio, data feeds and/or interactive event information. All digital video distribution rights shall be retained by the Conference, unless specifically released by the Conference and/or its digital partner. (Adopted 7/17/00.) Video Board Replays Member institutions with video boards are limited to one replay of controversial plays or officials' calls. During timeouts or inaction, institutions may show an unlimited number of replays of noncontroversial actions. (Adopted 5/11/10.) 4.7 Officiating Code of Ethics Importance of Officials No competitive contest can be satisfactorily played without an acceptable Code of Rules and impartial officials. In large measure, the reputation and status of officials depend upon the support they are accorded by coaches. Officials must have the respect and support of coaches and players if they are to do their jobs efficiently. On- and off- 4-7 Administrative Regulations

8 the-record criticism of officials to players or the public shall be considered unethical Officials Associations There should be a cooperative relationship between coaches and officials associations, with frequent interchange of ideas and suggestions. Coaches should, whenever possible, accept invitations to attend officials' rules meetings. Similarly, coaches should extend officials invitations to discuss rules interpretations with their squads, and on occasion, to officiate at scrimmages for mutual benefits. Wherever possible, coaches may find it desirable to join officials associations and serve as officials. It is undesirable for coaches to serve as officials in the league or conference of which their institution is a member, particularly in the sport that they are coaching. It is dangerous and unethical for coaches of rival teams to accept assignment as officials on an exchange basis Treatment of Officials Officials should be treated in a courteous manner. They should be provided with a private room in which to meet and dress for games. Conferences between coaches and officials shall always be conducted according to procedures established by the governing Conference or officials association. In every respect the official rule book should be followed in coach-official relationships, on the field and during and following the game. Any criticism that the coach may have to make concerning officiating should be made in writing to the office that assigned the official to the game. For a coach to address, or permit anyone on his/her bench to address uncomplimentary remarks to any official during the progress of a game, or to indulge in conduct that might incite players or spectators against the officials, is a violation of the rules of the game and must likewise be considered conduct unworthy of a member of the coaching profession Postgame Comments Institutional personnel and student-athletes are prohibited from verbal or written comments on officiating matters of any nature other than to the Conference Office. Such comments may not appear in institutional news releases or other institutionally published materials such as a coach's newsletter or game program. Institutional personnel may not publicly comment derogatorily on officiating to the media during postgame interviews, radio or television shows, at booster group gatherings, or under other conditions when their comments could become public. (Revised 8/2/90, 5/14/15.) Any individual who violates the code of conduct, as stated in 4.7.4, shall be subject to penalties for unsportsmanlike conduct as specified in Constitution This applies to all contests in all sports. (Adopted 8/2/90. Revised 5/14/15) Use of Video in Checking Officials' Decisions It should be recognized that slow motion study of controversial decisions by officials is far different from on-the-spot decisions that must be made during the course of a game. To show critical plays to sportswriters, sportscasters, alumni and the public, which may incite them to label officials as incompetents, must be considered unethical conduct Video Board Replay of Officials' Decisions Member institutions with video boards are limited to one replay of controversial plays or officials' calls. During timeouts or inaction, 4-8 Administrative Regulations

9 institutions may show an unlimited number of replays of noncontroversial actions. (Adopted 5/11/10.) 4.8 Sports Information Directors Regulations The sports information director, or his/her qualified designee, at a member institution hosting a Conference championship event shall be in attendance at all sessions of the championship event Each sports information director is charged with the responsibility of keeping the Conference information director advised as to schedule changes, time alterations, etc., for all Conference recognized sports Meetings of the sports information directors shall be scheduled as issues warrant by the Commissioner. (Adopted 7/17/00, Revised 6/12/07, 5/9/11.) A visiting sports information director's attendance at the site of a Conference basketball contest shall be optional. (Revised 5/23/83, 7/17/00, 7/1/01, 5/17/13.) Equal access must be given to all media representatives regardless of gender at any time interviews with coaches and/or student-athletes are conducted, including after competition. Equal access is defined as access to coaches and/or student-athletes at the same time and the same place. Bringing student-athletes to a separate area for reporters of the opposite sex is not considered equal access. The exact method of ensuring equal access shall be determined by the institution. (Adopted 11/13/90.) 4.9 Health and Safety Regulations An annual teleconference call meeting of the Conference certified athletic trainers shall be scheduled to take place each summer, with one certified athletic trainer representing each institution. An in-person meeting may take place instead of a conference call if the group can finance the meeting with sponsorship support. (Adopted 7/13/05, Revised 6/12/07, 5/11/10.) A certified athletic trainer is required to be on site or on call for all home events in the Big West Conference sports of baseball, men s and women s basketball, men s and women s soccer, softball, men s and women s tennis and men s and women s volleyball. On call is defined as being within five minutes of the site. (Adopted 7/13/05, Revised 11/1/13.) Each host institution shall provide reasonable athletic training facility access for the certified athletic trainer of the visiting team prior to or during practice preceding a conference contest. Advance scheduling awareness and communication are the responsibility of the visiting institution s certified athletic trainer. Training facilities shall be made available to both teams prior to and at the conclusion of each contest. (Adopted 7/13/05.) Host institutions must provide the visiting team with a bio hazard kit consistent with OSHA guidelines. (Adopted 7/13/05.) The host institution of the Big West Cross Country Championship must have a certified athletic trainer and a team physician or an EMS unit on site. Participating teams are not required to bring any athletic training personnel. (Adopted 7/13/05, Revised 6/27/07.) The host institution of the Big West Women s Soccer Championship must have a certified athletic trainer on site and a team physician or an EMS unit on site. Each participating team must provide its own 4-9 Administrative Regulations

10 certified athletic trainer at the event. (Adopted 7/13/05, Revised 6/27/07.) The host institutions of the Big West Men's Soccer Championship must have a certified athletic trainer on site and a team physician or an EMS unit on site. Each participating team must provide its own certified athletic trainer at the event The host institution of the Big West Women's Water Polo Tournament must have a certified athletic trainer on site. The host is not required to provide a team physician. Participating teams are not required to bring any athletic training personnel The host institution of the Big West Tennis Championship must have a certified athletic trainer on site. A single certified athletic trainer may cover a maximum of six courts, two certified athletic trainers may cover a maximum of 18 courts. The host is not required to provide a team physician. Participating teams are not required to bring any athletic training personnel. (Revised 5/17/13.) The host institution of the Big West Golf Championship must have a certified athletic trainer on site. The host is not required to provide a team physician. Participating teams are not required to bring any athletic training personnel The host institution of the Big West Track and Field Championship must have a certified athletic trainer on site and a team physician on call. Each participating institution must provide at minimum a certified athletic trainer at the championship weekend. (Revised 11/12/14.) The host institution of the Big West Men s Volleyball Tournament must have a certified athletic trainer on site and a team physician on call. Each participating institution must provide at minimum a certified athletic trainer at the championship weekend A designated host certified athletic trainer shall staff all games at the Big West Basketball Tournament. In addition, a certified athletic trainer shall be on-call for all on-site practices during the tournament. A coordinator of athletic trainers shall be designated for the tournament. A team physician shall be on site for all games at a retainer cost of $250 per session. Each participating team must provide its own certified athletic trainer at the event. (Adopted 7/13/05, Revised 5/9/11.) All Big West conference head coaches and assistants must attend an inperson, hands-on training course in CPR/AED (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation/Automated External Defibrillator) and First Aid and be certified. New coaches shall have a 45-day window from his/her start date at the institution to be certified. (Adopted 7/10/06, Revised 6/25/09, 5/12/14.) The NCAA Heat Index shall be used to determine the safe playing conditions of the following conference championships: cross country, golf, soccer, tennis, track and field, and water polo. When the Heat Index reaches 90, conditions are of a concern and the Games Committee and host ATC will confer. When the Heat Index reaches 95, mandatory water breaks will be granted. When the Heat Index reaches 105, the event is subject to delay, postponement or cancellation by the Games Committee and host ATC. (Adopted 5/11/09. Revised 5/14/15.) The decision to cancel, postpone or suspend a Big West Conference Championship intercollegiate athletic activity in the event of poor air quality will be made by the Big West Conference Games Committee 4-10 Administrative Regulations

11 and the host Certified Athletic Trainer present at the practice or competition site. See Appendix 1 for the Big West Conference's air quality protocol. (Adopted 5/11/09.) 4.10 Academic Awards Commissioner s Honor Roll In January, the member institutions' Faculty Athletics Representatives shall name to the Big West Conference Commissioner s Honor Roll those students who: 1. Were on the team roster in a Big West Conference sport at the conclusion of the previous season of competition and were eligible for competition, and 2. Have achieved a minimum institutional cumulative GPA in one of the following three categories: (a) Honor Roll: (b) With Honors: (c) With Highest Honors: Commissioner s Honor Roll forms shall be supplied to each institution in January and a submission date shall be determined by the Conference Office. All students so honored shall receive a certificate appropriate for framing, as well as recognition in the form of a media release. (Revised 7/15/02, 7/10/06, 5/14/12, 11/30/12, 11/1/13, 11/12/14.) Scholar-Athlete of the Year Each institution in the Conference shall annually select institutional "Big West Male Scholar-Athlete of the Year" and "Big West Female Scholar-Athlete of the Year" recipients who: 1. Are non-freshmen meeting the minimum criteria of a Big West Commissioner s Honor Roll as described in Big West Bylaw , with the exception of the minimum GPA requirement. The Scholar-Athlete of the Year shall have a minimum of a 3.25 GPA. 2. Are selected at the discretion of their university (i.e., selection committee). 3. Are selected prior to February 1 of each academic year based on athletic and academic performance from the previous academic year's spring term and the current academic year's fall and winter term(s). The names of all students so honored by each university shall be submitted to the Conference Office no later than February 1, using an approved reporting form. The Conference Office will then issue a press release on March 1, listing all the institutional award winners. All honorees will receive a plaque similar to the Big West "Athlete-of-the- Year" award. (Adopted 12/12/85, Revised 12/11/87, 11/30/12.) Academic All-Conference Teams The Conference shall sponsor annual Academic All-Conference teams in each Conference sport. Student-athletes shall be named to the Academic All-Conference Teams for their respective sports if the following standards are met: 1. Student-athlete must carry a minimum 3.00 cumulative institutional grade point average (no rounding); 2. Student-athlete must have completed one full academic year at the member institution prior to the season for which the award is being received (at least a sophomore academically); 4-11 Administrative Regulations

12 3. Student-athlete must have competed in at least 50 percent of the institution's contests in the student-athlete's respective sport, with the exception of baseball and softball pitchers and cross country and track and field student-athletes. Pitchers shall be exempt from any minimum participation requirements. In the sports of cross country and track & field, a student-athlete must have competed in either 50% of the institution s events or participated in the Conference Championship. Academic All-Conference forms shall be supplied to each institution and a submission date shall be determined by the Conference Office. All students so honored shall receive a certificate appropriate for framing, as well as recognition in the form of a media release. (Adopted 11/9/93, Revised 7/15/02, 11/1/13, 5/12/14.) All-Conference Awards All-Conference honors are bestowed in each Big West Conference sport. See the individual sports sections for policies on these awards Athletes of the Week/Month Awards for "Athlete of the Week" or "Athlete of the Month" are bestowed in each Big West Conference sport. See the individual sports sections for policies on these awards Service and Leadership Award Each institution shall have the opportunity to award the Big West Conference Service and Leadership Award annually. The recipient shall be at the discretion of the institution and must participate in a Big West Conference sponsored sport Administrative Regulations

13 APPENDIX 1 - Air Quality Protocol Chain of Command The decision to cancel, postpone or suspend a Big West Conference Championship intercollegiate athletic activity in the event of poor air quality will be made by the Big West Conference Games Committee and the host Certified Athletic Trainer present at the practice or competition site. Criteria For Cancellation / Postponement of Activities Due to Poor Air Quality- The policy for Big West Conference Championship events included in each handbook will be as follows: 1. Big West Conference Games Committee and host ATC will inform each team s coach and game official(s) / umpire(s) of the conference policy with regards to poor air quality during the pre-event meeting and will provide condition updates throughout the championship. 2. The Big West Conference Games Committee and host Certified Athletic Trainer will monitor one or more of the following for up to date Air Quality Index (AQI) readings and statistics. National Weather Service and/or National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) local weather radar ( or 3. The Big West Conference Games Committee and host ATC will utilize the following table as a guideline with regards to the Air Quality Index and recommendations for activity restrictions Administrative Regulations

14 4. Big West Conference Games Committee and host ATC will continually update the following people with regards to the air quality and recommendations for outside activity. Game officials / umpires (if applicable); and Participating Team Head Coaches and Athletic Trainers (if applicable) 5. If the Host Institution has cancelled classes at the university due to poor air quality, the Big West Conference Games Committee and host Certified Athletic Trainer will consider this strongly when recommending the cancellation, postponement or suspension of all games, practices, and other activities. 6. Safety decisions made on site by the Big West Conference Games Committee and the host Certified Athletic Trainer are not subject to appeal. The Air Quality Index (AQI) The Air Quality Index (AQI) is an index for reporting daily air quality. It tells how clean or polluted outdoor air is, and what associated health effects might be a concern. The AQI focuses on health effects that may be experienced within a few hours or days after breathing polluted air. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) calculates the AQI for five major air pollutants regulated by the Clean Air Act: ground-level ozone, particle pollution (also known as particulate matter), carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen dioxide. For each of these pollutants, EPA has established national air quality standards to protect public health. How the Air Quality Index (AQI) Works Think of the AQI as a yardstick that runs from 0 to 500. The higher the AQI value, the greater the level of air pollution and the greater the health-concern. For example, an AQI value of 50 represents good air quality with little potential to affect public health, while an AQI value over 200 represents very unhealthy air quality. An AQI value of 100 generally corresponds to the national air quality standard for the pollutant, which is the level EPA has set to protect public health. AQI values below 100 are generally thought of as satisfactory. When AQI values are above 100, air quality is considered to be unhealthy - at first for certain sensitive groups of people, then for everyone as AQI values get higher. Source: Administrative Regulations

15 APPENDIX 2 - Procedures for Contest Postponement for Force Majeure Situations Big West Conference member institutions are committed to competing and maintaining the integrity of the Conference schedule in all sports. However, in the event a situation develops beyond the control of the institution that calls for the postponement of an athletic contest(s), direct and timely communication between senior level administrators of the opposing institution(s), the Conference Office and the officials coordinator is imperative. The health and safety of our student-athletes, coaches and fans is our primary concern above all other factors. The postponement of a contest under these unique circumstances must be an institutional decision beyond the athletic department. For example, health issues should be determined by appropriate local, county, state or university health agencies; safety issues by the appropriate law enforcement agencies; and issues affecting the entire institution by the institution s Chief Executive Officer. While many situations may be institution-wide, it is also recognized that there may be particular circumstances affecting a single team that would otherwise fall within appropriate guidelines. The commitment to conference competition (referenced in Big West Administrative Regulation ) requires each institution to try to reschedule conference games to protect participation opportunities for our teams. Any rescheduled contest is likely to cause less than ideal competitive issues between the teams and could involve a change in venue. If institutions are unable to reschedule a contest on their own accord, the Commissioner is empowered to make the final determination of the date, site and time of the rescheduled contest. The Commissioner also has the option of rescheduling other Big West contests involving one or more non-affected schools if the revision of the conference schedule creates a competitive advantage/disadvantage. However, in his/her analysis of all the factors involved, the Commissioner can also determine that the contest will not be rescheduled and shall be declared a no-contest. In consideration of the postponement of a contest, recognition of the opposing institution(s) interests must also be considered. Often there are direct and unrecoverable expenses that have been incurred and in the spirit of good sportsmanship, the involved institutions should work together to help mitigate those costs in a fair and equitable manner. In the event that all teams do not play a complete conference schedule, the final regular season standings (and possible championship tournament seeding) will be based on winning percentage in conference contests. In the event of a tie for a position, tournament seeding and/or the determination of the conference s NCAA automatic qualifier shall be handled per the tie-breaker system contained in that respective sport s bylaws. If a sport has a scheduled postseason championship tournament that cannot be held due to extraordinary circumstances, the regular season champion (or the number one seed in the tournament as determined by that sport s tiebreaker system if two or more teams tied for the regular season championship) shall be declared the conference s NCAA automatic qualifier. In the event a postseason tournament cannot be concluded, the highest remaining seeded team shall be declared the conference s NCAA automatic qualifier. If any member s Chief Executive Officer notifies the Conference Office at least 48 hours prior to the scheduled start of a postseason tournament that his/her team cannot participate in the event due to extraordinary circumstances, every attempt will be made to replace that team with the next highest available seed and the bracket will be adjusted accordingly. If this is not possible, the bracket will be adjusted accordingly and the highest seeded team will be given 4-15 Administrative Regulations

16 the advantage. With the exception of basketball, if any member s Chief Executive Officer notifies the Conference Office with less than 48 hours prior to the scheduled start of a postseason tournament that his/her team cannot participate in the event due to extraordinary circumstances, that tournament will be cancelled and the number one seed shall be declared the conference s NCAA automatic qualifier. In the sport of basketball, if any member s Chief Executive Officer notifies the Conference Office with less than 48 hours prior to the scheduled start of a postseason tournament that his/her team cannot participate in the event due to extraordinary circumstances, every attempt will be made to replace that team with the next highest available seed and the bracket will be adjusted accordingly. If this is not possible, the bracket will be adjusted accordingly and the highest seeded team will be given the advantage. In the event of an issue beyond the control of the institution, a team shall be expected to honor a scheduled contest if it can field a starting line-up and a suitable number of reserves for that particular sport. A suitable number of reserves shall be the following: Men s and Women s Basketball -- Three players Men s and Women s Soccer -- Six players Volleyball -- Three players Baseball and Softball -- Five players Water Polo -- Four players In the sport of tennis, a team shall be expected to honor a scheduled contest if four players are able to compete, consistent with ITA regulations Administrative Regulations